Europe

THE BIG QUESTION

Legendary investor Jim Rogers believes Ireland and wider Europe would be better off if the Celtic Tiger was allowed go bankrupt.

Ireland became the second country this year to accept billions in EU funding after last night conceding its banking and budget crisis was too big to handle on its own.

Nick Dowell took over the HSBC's £272m European Growth fund three years ago this month, tasked with turning around the vehicle's lacklustre performance.

As Ireland prepares to accept a rumoured €80bn euro European Union and IMF bailout to pull it from the mire of its financial crisis, fund managers consider what the contagion effect may be on the banking sector in the UK and Europe.

IRELAND IN NEED

ON EUROPE

The Irish government will not raise the country's low corporation tax rate in return for an EU-led bailout, as a French official said some view the rate as "almost predatory".

A team of EU and IMF inspectors will arrive in Ireland today to take a closer look at the nation's banking system and prepare for a possible €80bn bailout.

HOW THE EURO CAN DISSOLVE